Carla Esparza open to fighting Amanda Ribas after UFC Fight Night 174

Amanda Ribas was propelled into star status after her quick submission victory over Paige VanZant at UFC 251, and it seems Carla Esparza has taken notice.

For now, Esparza is focused on her upcoming fight with Marina Rodriguez, which is set to take place this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 174 in Abu Dhabi, but she is open to the prospect of fighting Ribas, who herself has expressed the desire to face the winner of this fight.

“First things first, I got to handle business over here on Fight Island, but of course … yeah, I’m game,” said the former UFC strawweight champion.

Esparza is coming off three consecutive victories, and a fourth would certainly give her a lot of momentum going into a potential bout with Ribas.

The former champion still has title hopes. “I don’t think I ever completely, 100 percent left that conversation,” she said. “There’s bumps in the road always, but … a loss here and there I don’t think necessarily takes me or anyone out of the equation.”